Emmanuel Macron's plans for swift EU reforms were knocked back today as he met Angela Merkel for the first time since becoming president.

The two met in Berlin on Macron's first full day in office signaling his intentions to move rapidly on campaign promises to revive support for the bloc by reforming and strengthening it.

But while both leaders said they were prepared to change European treaties if needed, Merkel insisted that such measures were not immediately on the table.

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel shake hands after a press conference in Berlin

The relationship between the two countries has become increasingly lopsided over recent years as France struggled economically

Germany is looking to Macron to revitalize France as an economic power and political heavyweight in the EU, which is facing complex divorce proceedings with its current No. 2 economy, Britain

Ahead of his visit on Monday, the 39-year-old indicated that he wanted a joint budget, parliament and finance minister for the eurozone.

The chancellor's coalition has been at odds over how to respond to his plans, with some conservatives fearful the monetary union could develop into a 'transfer union' in which Germany is asked to pay for spendthrift states.

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In a nod to German concerns, Macron said during a news conference with Merkel that he had never pushed for jointly issued eurobonds and does not favor European countries taking joint responsibility for old debts.

He added, however, that 'what I know is that we have investments to make (in Europe), and so we have to work on investment mechanisms for the future'.

Macron said that he would work with Merkel on a 'road map' for the EU, and that they needed to work on 'deep reforms that are necessary and need common work'.

Macron said at the news conference with Merkel that he had never pushed for jointly issued eurobonds and added he does not favor European countries taking joint responsibility for old debts

Macron said: 'We have investments to make (in Europe), and so we have to work on investment mechanisms for the future'

Germany and France have traditionally been the motor of European integration

Macron's trip to Berlin highlighted his pro-European politics and desire to work with Merkel on what he says must become 'a more efficient Europe, a more democratic Europe, a more political Europe'

Merkel said she hoped for a 'new dynamism' in German-French relations, adding that 'Europe will only do well if there is a strong France, and I am committed to that'

But Merkel said: 'First we need to work on what we want to change, and then if it turns out it needs a treaty change, then we're prepared to do that.'

The visit to Berlin continued a tradition of French presidents making their first foreign trip to Germany.

A large group of onlookers, some carrying European flags, stood outside the chancellery as Macron arrived.

Germany and France have traditionally been the motor of European integration, but the relationship has become increasingly lopsided over recent years as France struggled economically.

Merkel called Macron's visit an honour and a sign of the deep friendship between the two European powerhouses.

'We each represent the interests of our own countries, but the interests of Germany are naturally closely tied to the interests of France,' Merkel said.

She added that she hoped for a 'new dynamism' in German-French relations, saying that 'Europe will only do well if there is a strong France, and I am committed to that.'

Following the press conference the leaders pictured drinking wine together on the balcony of the Chancellery.

Macron's trip to Berlin highlighted his pro-European politics and desire to work with Merkel on what he says must become 'a more efficient Europe, a more democratic Europe, a more political Europe.' Macron previously met Merkel when he visited Berlin in March as a candidate.

Germany is looking to Macron to revitalize France as an economic power and political heavyweight in the EU, which is facing complex divorce proceedings with its current No. 2 economy, Britain.

A large group of onlookers, some carrying European flags, stood outside the chancellery as Macron arrived

After the press conference Macron and Merkel were pictured drinking wine together on the balcony of the Chancellery

Merkel called Macron's visit an honor and a sign of the deep friendship between the two European powerhouses

As a candidate, Macron called for a 'new Franco-German deal' that would involve 'much more structured cooperation' on investment, on European border security, and on defence

When Britain leaves the bloc in 2019, France will be the EU's only member with nuclear weapons and a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

As a candidate, Macron called for a 'new Franco-German deal' that would involve 'much more structured cooperation' on investment, on European border security, and on defence.

Macron is the conservative Merkel's fourth French president in nearly 12 years as chancellor. She built a solid relationship with Macron's predecessor, Socialist Francois Hollande, despite their political differences - notably with their joint effort to secure an accord to calm the fighting in eastern Ukraine in tense talks in Minsk, Belarus in 2015.

Germany is keen to continue the Franco-German diplomatic drive to keep a lid on the situation in Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists are battling the government.

Merkel has praised Macron's embrace of European unity but has offered few concrete details about the way forward for German-French relations.